• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ebay scams or not?

Geddyfleaharris

Geddyfleaharris

Mar 5, 2007
3,237
1,320
Portage la Prairie, MB, Canada
#1
I have 1 4003 Ric and I am looking for another 4003 through Ebay. This seems to be the easiest, most plentiful place to find them. (The biggest Canadian dealer told me they have none in stock in Canada and don't even know when any new ones are arriving.)

I have had a couple of troubling occurrences though. 2 sellers have responded to my questions by saying that their accounts have been hacked and they are not actually even selling a bass. I asked another seller the year and serial number of the bass he was selling (supposedly unplayed). He responded by telling me the year was 2007 but he did not get the serial number. Huh? Same questions to another seller and he responds with "2007 but I don't give out serial numbers." Again....huh? One seller's feedback is all penny auction garbage and the other seller has his selling prices all set to private. Both are Jetglo and both descriptions are pretty clearly copied from a Ric spec sheet. How do these 2 sellers end up with new, unplayed Rics?

My gut feeling is both of these are scams and I have no intention of bidding on either bass. What do you guys think?

Thanks! :bassist:
 
#11
I personally would stay away from Rics on ebay. I know a few people who have gotten screwed with buying a Ric on ebay. One friend actually got one that was a fake with only one truss rod, another got one with one broken truss and another didn't get anything at all. Weird how scams for Rics seem to happen more than for other basses. It probably stems from the whole supply demand thing. There is a reason that no one has them in stock. There is a greater demand than what Ric can keep up with. Not a bad problem for them to have but it makes buyers desperate and the scammers know this. I have never seen one last more than a couple of days at the bass emporium. It is my understanding that most of what they get already has a deposit on it. I would say if you want a new one, just put down a deposit at the dealer and wait the 12 to 18 months. Then be happy with your new warranted bass.
 
#13
I am confused about the 'waiting lists' for 4003's - I found 3 on different sites tonight that are in stock and available at around $1600, which is as cheap as most on ebay. Granted the Jetglo was always available and other colours might not have been.
I want one of these sooo bad - I always loved the 4001 from when I was a kid, but haven't played one yet. Would I be an idiot to buy a 4003 online sight unseen? I mean is there any chance I won't find it to be the best bass I ever played? I have had the usual US Fenders, Schecters, Ibanez etc and want to have something a little special. Don't talk me out of it please....
 
#14
Geddyfleaharris said:
I have 1 4003 Ric and I am looking for another 4003 through Ebay. This seems to be the easiest, most plentiful place to find them. (The biggest Canadian dealer told me they have none in stock in Canada and don't even know when any new ones are arriving.)

I have had a couple of troubling occurrences though. 2 sellers have responded to my questions by saying that their accounts have been hacked and they are not actually even selling a bass. I asked another seller the year and serial number of the bass he was selling (supposedly unplayed). He responded by telling me the year was 2007 but he did not get the serial number. Huh? Same questions to another seller and he responds with "2007 but I don't give out serial numbers." Again....huh? One seller's feedback is all penny auction garbage and the other seller has his selling prices all set to private. Both are Jetglo and both descriptions are pretty clearly copied from a Ric spec sheet. How do these 2 sellers end up with new, unplayed Rics?

My gut feeling is both of these are scams and I have no intention of bidding on either bass. What do you guys think?

Thanks! :bassist:
Click to expand...


I too, have had a couple of wierd instances with e-bay. I had an auction that was hijacked, they lowered the price and put their e-mail address for payment. I caught it right away, but it was a nightmare to fix because e-bay doesn't take phone calls, just on-line support. I ended up having to cancel the auction so an unsuspecting buyer would not get burned! There are some professionals out there that can hack your e-bay account passwords when you look a bogus auctions they post!

On the bright side, I have gotten some of my best basses on e-bay and have dealt with some really great sellers too...........Look at their "feedback" scores, they say a lot, if you read them. You can usually get a "feel" for a seller by how promptly they repond to questions, and how the answers are written. I stay away from abrupt, short replys........

I have a 4003 Midnight Blue that is truly "unplayed"..........Sounds like it may be a good time to list it, if they are in such demand. Good thing I have 100% "feedback".................;)

I would not be scared of ebay, just be cautious............:eyebrow:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back